Anne Arundel County Digest

Archbishop Spalding High School's theater department presents "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" starting Friday through March 9 at 8080 New Cut Road in Severn. Shows are at 7 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $10. Refreshments are available during intermission. For more information, call 410-969-9105 or go to archbishopspalding.org.

Course in ham radio

The Anne Arundel Radio Club offers an entry-level amateur radio technician license course in six sessions from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays starting March 2 at the Davidsonville Recreation Center, 3727 Queen Anne Bridge Road. The course covers all modern aspects of ham radio. Morse code is no longer required. Free hand-held radios will be given (while supplies last) upon successful completion of the course and license exam. To register and more information, go to w3vpr.org or email kk4gv@w3vpr.org.

Visitors guide

The 2013 Visitors Guide by the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau is now available. The 72-page, full-color guide contains information on things to do and see, events, dining, night life, accommodations, shopping and more. The Visitors Center is located at 26 West St. in Annapolis and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The guides will also be distributed from the bureau's satellite information booth at City Dock when it reopens for the season on March 22. Also, a dowloadable version is available at visitannapolis.org/visitor-guide.

Library meetings

Anne Arundel County Public Library will hold four town hall-style meetings as the library system seeks support for its top funding priorities of upgrading technology, expanding hours and building new regional facilities for the North County and Annapolis areas.

•March 7, Maryland City at Russett branch, 3501 Russett Common in Laurel.

•March 12, North County branch, 1010 Eastway in Glen Burnie.

Meetings begin at 7 p.m. Information: 410-222-7371 or aacpl.net.

Book signing, reception

"Passing Through Shady Side" by resident Ann Widdifield highlights the lives and experiences of several generations of African-American families who have lived on the Shady Side peninsula during the past 150 years. A book signing and reception will be held March 9 at St. Matthews United Methodist Church, 6234 Shady Side Road. Event begins at 2 p.m. with a presentation in the sanctuary, followed by the book signing and reception at 2:30 p.m. For more information, go to captainaverymuseum.org.

Anthem auditions

The Bowie Baysox will hold auditions March 16 for those who would like to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at home games during the coming season. Prince George's Stadium gates open at 9 a.m. for registration, and auditions begin at 9:30 a.m. Every participant must register, and auditions are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. Auditions will be held rain or shine, reservations for audition times will not be accepted, and word sheets are not allowed during the audition. All auditions must be done in person. Auditions are open to any individual or small group, and instrumentalists are permitted. Interested large church or school groups should call 410-301-464-4880. For directions and more information, go to baysox.com.

Bus trip

The Ann Arrundell County Historical Society is sponsoring a bus trip to Ford's Theatre, with its new Center for Education and Leadership and the Congressional Cemetery Civil War Tour, on May 18. Lunch is planned at the District Chophouse & Brewery. Bus leaves at 8 a.m from the Benson-Hammond House, 7101 Aviation Blvd. in Linthicum, and returns at 4 p.m. Cost is $60, including lunch. For reservations and more information, call 443-837-8196 or go to aachs.org.

Triathlon

The seventh annual Emily Schindler Memorial Triathlon will be held April 20 at the Community Center in Severna Park. The 800-yard swim, 9.5-mile bike ride and 3-mile run will be held at the SPY Aquatics Center, 623 Baltimore/Annapolis Blvd. and the Baltimore/Annapolis Trail. Participants can also sign up for the Flamingo Feat distance, consisting of a 1,600-yard swim, 18-mile bike and 6-mile run. Check in begins at 6 a.m. and the first wave of swimmers will hit the pool at 7 a.m. Cost is $50 for individuals, $90 for a relay team of two and $135 for a three-person relay team. Registration forms can be found at http://www.spccaquatics.org or at active.com

The event is a benefit for the Emily Schindler Memorial Scholarship fund, which was established in 2004 following Emily Schindler's death in a car accident. The scholarship is awarded annually to selected graduating seniors on the SPY swim team who most exemplify Emily's qualities.

Fingerprinting service

The Annapolis Police Department has resumed fingerprinting services for the public at 199 Taylor Ave. The services are available from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Saturday of the month. For fees and more information, call 410-268-9000 or go to http://www.annapolis.gov/police.

New website

Fort Meade, in partnership with the Fort Meade Community Covenant Council, has launched a new website designed to help the community take advantage of resources in the region. For more information, go to http://www.ftmeade.army.mil/community.

Tax season

Volunteers are needed to assist with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program to help seniors and low-income adults with their 2012 tax returns. Participants will be trained by the IRS and the Maryland comptroller's office. They will help only with simple 2012 income tax returns, which will be filed electronically. Volunteers do not do tax returns involving partnerships or corporations, self-employed persons or rental properties. Volunteers are not required to have a financial background, but certified public accountants, attorneys, bookkeepers and those with financial training are encouraged to volunteer. Volunteers will be stationed at county senior centers and will be available by appointment between now and April 5. For more information, call 410-222-6717.

'Operation Paperback'

This nonprofit organization collects used books nationwide and sends them to American troops deployed overseas. Since 1999, more than a million books have been shipped to military personnel around the world. Organizing the effort in this area is Sandy Marron of Annapolis. She can be contacted at slmmuscles1@aol.com. Put "books" in the subject line. Information: operationpaperback.org.

Resource guide

The Anne Arundel Volunteer Center has released a Youth Resource Guide, with information about nonprofit and faith-based organizations in the county. A free copy is at volunteerannearundel.org. Printed copies can be purchased at the center, 2666 Riva Road, Suite 130, for $5 each. Information: 410-897-9207.

The Ann Arrundell County Historical Society will open the historic Benson-Hammond House and North Browse and Buy Shoppe at Aviation Boulevard and Andover Road in Linthicum in March. Group tours can be arranged during January and February by calling 410-768-9518.

Historical research

The Kuethe Library's Historical & Genealogical Research Center, 5 Crain Highway S.E., operated jointly by the historical society and the Anne Arundel Genealogical Society, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday all year. Information: 410-760-9679.